Kerala to Distribute Free Onam Kits to 6 Lakh Families; Subsidised Rice for 94 Lakh Cardholders

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has announced that 6 lakh families with yellow ration cards will receive free Onam kits this year. The kit, containing 15 essential items, aims to ease the financial burden on households during the festive season. Each kit will include half a litre of coconut oil, half a kilo each of sugar, green gram dal, semiya payasam mix, Milma ghee, cashew nuts, sambar powder, chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, tea powder, green gram, toor dal, powdered salt, and a cloth bag. Welfare institutions will receive one kit for every four residents.
In addition to the free kits, the government will provide subsidised rice to ration cardholders. Families with blue cards will get 10 kg of rice, while those with white cards will receive 15 kg, both at a rate of Rs 10.90 per kg. An estimated 53 lakh families are expected to benefit from this subsidy. Furthermore, 94 lakh ration cardholders will receive 10 kg of K-Rice at a reduced rate of Rs 25 per kg, compared to the current market price of Rs 29 per kg.
Onam fairs will be organised across the state through Supplyco. This year, in addition to Thiruvananthapuram, a mega fair will be held in Palakkad. The decision to distribute rice at a lower price was taken after the central government refused Kerala’s request for additional rice allocation. The Centre stated that Kerala’s population is financially capable of purchasing rice and therefore does not qualify for central subsidies.
Despite the denial, the state government has chosen to proceed with its plan using its own resources to ensure affordability and access to food supplies during the festive period.